Overview

• The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an antitrust investigation into potential collusion by egg producers to restrict supply or inflate prices.
• Egg prices have soared to record highs, with the national average for a dozen eggs reaching $4.95 in January 2025, driven partly by avian flu outbreaks that have culled over 166 million birds since 2022.
• Critics, including advocacy group Farm Action, allege that some corporations are exploiting the bird flu crisis to boost profits, citing significant financial gains by top producers like Cal-Maine Foods.
• The investigation is in its early stages and may not lead to formal legal action; it remains unclear whether it will be categorized as a civil or criminal case.
• The Trump administration has announced a $1 billion plan to address the crisis, focusing on biosecurity measures, financial relief for farmers, and vaccine development, though experts caution that price relief may take time.